Awaken

So this past Saturday I went to hear my good friend Jake speak at the Awaken 2009 conference at NorthStar Church in Kennesaw. It was a great time, with Chris Huff leading worship. I saw a lot of old friends, and made some new ones!!

Here are my notes and quotes from Jake’s talk:

(keep in mind these are the shorthand that I wrote during his speech, but I think they make sense)

-”They were the cool Christian kids who didn’t dump over porta-potties.” – Jake Dudley

-More women go to church than men.

-Jesus was living, breathing, walking Love.

-As long as Jesus is being preached, it doesn’t matter what color carpet the church has, what type of pre-service music, etc…

-People talk about Jesus 2000 years later

-God sent Jesus down to Earth, and to die for the sins of men and women

-What if I, through everyone’s junk, life, etc…, just loved them the way Jesus does?

-The World says that for any problem, there is a program, pill, or person to solve it. That is crap. Jesus is the answer.

-Mark 12:28-31

-John 15:12-13

-”Sometimes leading people to Jesus is being Jesus to the people”

-Jake also talked about the Christy Nockels song “By Our Love”
-Check the lyrics here

-”If the world is supposed to know us by our love, then why do they know us for what we hate?”

Jake did a great job and so did the guys putting the conference on.

P.S. – I also bought John Mayer tickets in the parking lot right after Awaken. Pretty stoked on it. Fosho

Dear God…

Dear God,
         I know you have a plan for my life, but does Lowe’s really have to be part of it? That place sucks the happiness out of me, and I am in a terrible mood when I’m there. Isn’t there something else I could be doing?

Adam,
        You are fortunate enough to have a job my son. You are fortunate enough to have a truck that your job pays for. You are fortunate enough to have the money to pay your bills, and it comes from your job. That job is your income source, and you are fortunate enough to have what you need and more. You are blessed with this. Be grateful, not bitter.

Music

I love music. I talk about it constantly. I am always listening to it. I listen to a little bit of everything, but lately it has been acoustic/folk rock most of the time.

Here is a list of the stuff I have been digging lately:

City and Colour
Butch Walker (His cover of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” is pure genius.)
John Mayer
Mat Kearney
Matt Nathanson
Vedera

You can buy any of the CDs that any of these guys have released, and instantly have great new music.

Check it out!!

Also, I cannot go a week without hearing some great metal or hardcore I don’t know why; I guess it’s just in my blood. Go check out:

A Day To Remember
Haste The Day
A Change Of Pace

Worship music has become more prevelent in my iTunes as well.

Chris Tomlin
Phil Wickham
Tenth Avenue North
Fee
David Crowder* Band

It’s all great stuff. Here is what I am looking forward to:

John Mayer – Battle Studies
Carlos Whittaker’s EP and LP
-Go to http://bit.ly/CkhvV to listen to and vote for two possible singles from Carlos’ upcoming album. Also, follow him on Twitter (@loswhit).

You guys are amazing.

Adam

The King of Kings and The King of Pop

So I realized something this weekend during the Michael Jackson/Prince poll. A few people voted, and it was declared a tie!!!

Anyway, I spent some time devising this poll, and urging people to vote. That is cool, but what does that mean? What if we all worked this hard to proclaim the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Seriously. I am in the same boat. I get excited about a lot of things, but if it isn’t Sunday, it usually isn’t the Holy Bible or Jesus. This poll has helped me realize that I have a lot of time to devote to Jesus, but I do not.

“For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20

I am often gathered with two or more Christians and the conversation does not always involve Jesus. If you just read that and it struck a nerve, I’m there with you. All I’m trying to say is that I need to spend more time praying to God, talking to God, confessing to God, living for God, and loving in the name of God. Seriously, have you ever REALLY thought about it? Many Sundays we hear that God sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for us to save us from sin. Think about it. THINK about it. THINK ABOUT it! THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!! Is there anyone you love on this earth to die for? That is amazing!! Even as I am typing this blog I am overwhelmed by that amount of love. That is crazy love. He is Love. Our God is Love. I love Him. I want to have a crazy love for Him.

I know this blog is long-winded, but it is 1:27am and this was really heavy on my heart. I hope that all of you have a crazy kind of love for God. We need to.

I love you all.

Adam.

King of Pop

Ok friends, here is what is going on. A fun (at least it is supposed to be) debate has been going on this week about who is the true King of Pop. The choices? Michael Jackson or Prince. I’m going to place a poll below, so please take it. Also, please just take it once. I really want to find out what people think, so don’t vote 50 times unless 25 are for Michael Jackson and 25 are for Prince. This is going to be fun. The poll will last until Sunday night and then I will post the winner. Seriously, don’t freak out on each other. This is innocent fun.

Click below to vote!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://poll.pollcode.com/QOI

Stuff!!

I really like clothes. More than I should. I would almost guarantee that I look online at clothes every day. It is a problem. But I think a lot of people do this. I just wanted to share some of the stuff that I like, because it rules. I like to wear stuff that not a lot of people have, and that is really different. Here are some links to some of the companies that I have been digging lately.

TOMS Shoes – TOMS are a great shoe company that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. So when you get some amazing shoes for yourself, a child also gets a pair. For some, it is their first pair. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

LETGOdwork – LETGOdwork is a clothing company that makes some rad Christian t-shirts. I know it is hard to make Christian apparel cool, but these guys have totally succeeded. The Spilled For Love shirt is my favorite.

Live To Love Apparel – L2L is a t-shirt line that has some great rags. You will dig them.

Other Faves:

Buckle – Seriously. Who doesn’t like this store?
C28 – Biggest Christian clothing website that I know of. Tons of brands. Been wearing their stuff for years.

Check this stuff out folks. I really think you will like it.

Do you know of any other independent companies who make rad stuff that I should know about? Let me know!!

Boobs and Chocolate Cake

So, right now, those two things have everything and nothing to do with each other.

This past weekend, Michael preached the first message in the new series at Oak Leaf Church called Storybook Sex. It was about love, respect, and boobs. Here are my notes from Sunday.

-You are ready to date when:

1. You have a strong relationship with God
2. You are willing to be single over marrying the wrong person
      -Concentrate less on finding the right person and concentrate more on being the right person.

-If you’re not for sale, don’t advertise.
-If your relationship with God is off, all other relationships will be off too.
-No other human can complete you. Only God can complete you. Don’t count on anyone else but Him for that.

So, that may have seemed random, but here are some examples.

You’re walking around the store, and then suddenly you see a lady in a low cut shirt. Do you just keep walking. If you’re a dude, heck no you don’t. You linger around, and take a couple of glances. I know this, because I have done this numerous times. I’m not proud of it at all. It sickens me. It lets me know that I have zero respect for her, and for all of the other women I have done that to. This is the definition of objectifying women, and it is my greatest sin. It has been happening to me since I was 13, and continues to this day. So, in Michael’s message the other day, he talked about a similar instance, and you can read that story here. But this is the gist. Dude, don’t be a prick and show some respect. Maybe these ladies have none for themselves, but that does not give you the right to totally deface and disrespect them. That message hits me in the face like Brock Lesnar, too. You’re not the only one. And I know that it is hard, but once we start respecting women, we will be respected more. I’m sure of it. I would love to not be a pig anymore.

And what does chocolate cake have to do with this? Well, one of the guys in my Tuesday morning men’s group mentioned it when we were discussing Michael’s message this morning. He has a buddy who recently fasted, and was doing really well. They also get together and have coffee some mornings. But the morning meeting the particular week of his fast, people decided to bring in chocolate cake, and all sorts of this other food. I can see what this dude was going through. He was being tempted hardcore! But he just kept staring, and kept getting closer and closer to breaking. And dudes, you will be tempted. So will I. When we are out tomorrow, heck, even when we navigate away from this particular webpage. It’s there. Temptation. It sucks.

But the next time you notice a girl’s boobs hanging out, don’t be that jerk who lingers. Keep going. Show some respect. Look her in the eyes. They are even more captivating. Maybe she will realize that you didn’t stare. Maybe she will realize that you looked her in the eyes, or noticed something else charming about her. So, don’t stare at boobs and don’t stare at chocolate cake.

I know that was long and random, but there is a good message in there. Thank you Michael for helping me realize what a demoralizing, objectifying jerk I am. I am going to change. I can. I will.

So Many Categories

Why do I have so many people on my blogroll? Well, I read all of their blogs. I do not know all of them personally, but I have met all but a few of them. My friends are, well, my friends. The lead pastors all have great posts, and I respect them and love to read what they have to say. The brilliant thinkers category is one that I truly like. These people are rad, and I keep up with what they have going on. To me, I gain knowledge every time I read one of their posts. Not saying that I don’t learn stuff from my friends or lead pastors, but the brilliant thinkers are brilliant. There you have it. That’s why I have some different categories. I’m sure more are to come. Are there some blogs that I am not reading? Please comment and tell me who I should be reading. God Bless you all.

Adam

Music Monday

I love music. So much so that I bring it up and some of the most random times. It is my passion, and I truly believe it will play a big part in my life, no matter what. So what have I been listening to lately?

David Crowder* Band – Church Music

This is the newest release by DC*B, and is one of the best albums of 2009, secular and Christian.

MY FAVORITES: Shadows, All Around Me

Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony

Breaking Benjamin have always been one of my favorite bands, and this album did not let me down. I estimate that I have listened to this record 8 times all the way through since its release date, last Tuesday.

MY FAVORITES: Give Me A Sign, What Lies Beneath

Seventh Day Slumber – Take Everything

I saw Seventh Day Slumber for the second time Friday night at the North Georgia State Fair along with Newsboys. This CD is their latest effort, and is a worship album. You should definitely check it out. The version of Marvelous Light that we have played lately with the sicknasty opening guitar riff is on this record.

MY FAVORITES: Marvelous Light, Oceans From The Rain

Brand New – The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me

I have just recently come to really like Brand New. I guess you could consider them an emo band. This album is a few years old, and it’s pretty darn good.

MY FAVORITES: Sowing Season (Yeah), Jesus Christ

A Change of Pace – An Offer You Can’t Refuse

I learned about these guys today when they came up on A Day To Remember’s Pandora Radio channel. They are pretty good screamo. Nothing new, but their music and vocals are exceptional for the genre.

MY FAVORITES: Asleep At The Wheel, Queen Of Hearts

So, what have you been listening to lately? Recommend something to me. Any genre. Please!

Four Letter Words (Add-On)

My last post wasn’t exactly what I wanted to get across, so here is an add-on.

As a Christian my goal  is to be as Christ-like as possible. So, should I stop cussing altogether?  Would Jesus have said any cuss words if they existed? I know the answer to that is no. Is it okay every once in a while? Who decided that those words were really bad?

What are your thoughts?